Fed: Matches Like Today Are What Keep Me Coming Back

13 November 2012 - 01H31
Rivalry with top stars keeps Federer coming back

AFP - Roger Federer insists his dramatic defeat against Novak Djokovic in the final of the ATP Tour Finals was exactly the kind of epic showdown that stops him thinking about retiring.

Federer's two-year reign as Tour Finals champion was brought to an end by a brilliant display from Djokovic, who underlined his status as the world number one by taking everything the Swiss great could throw at him and then hitting back even harder.

Djokovic eventually won 7-6 (8/6), 7-5 after two hours and 14 minutes of enthralling action at London's O2 Arena on Monday, denying Federer the chance to add to his six Tour Finals titles and leading the 31-year-old to acknowledge the thrill he gets from going toe to toe with such a spirited rival.

"It's part of the puzzle that makes me motivated, trying to play against the likes of Novak, Andy (Murray) and Rafa (Nadal)," Federer said.

"I think we had some great stuff out there. It was good playing such points.

"It's great playing against these guys because the ball does come back a few more times than against other players and you get those great rallies going.

"I love playing against the young guys as well, because to many of them I'm an idol which is kind of strange to me.

"But it's nice seeing them grow, see what the next generation comes up with."

Federer admitted he was frustrated to let the title slip through his fingers after leading by a break in each set.

But the 17-time Grand Slam champion acknowledged Djokovic had come up with some superb shots at the key moments.

"Maybe I have a bit of regret because I had the lead twice first before him," Federer said.

"But at the end of the day, that doesn't matter. You have to get over the finish line in the set and then obviously at the end of the match. He was better at that today.

"You have to talk about me serving really fast three or four times and him bringing back a bullet. I think this is where he gets me on the back foot."

Although Federer's 2012 campaign ended on a low note, a season which includes winning Wimbledon for the seventh time, as well as taking a silver medal at the London Olympics, can't be regarded as a failure and the Swiss is already plotting how to add more silverware to his trophy cabinet next year.

"I reflect in a nice way. I think it's been a fantastic season to be part of," Federer said.

"I'm very pleased that I was able to pick up my performance at the end of the season, like I played now this week. So obviously that gives me confidence for next year.

"I haven't really set clear goals yet for next year. I first have to make sure I create my schedule so it makes sense.

"I need to practice a whole lot more next year, because this year, I hardly did have an opportunity to do. I have some catching up to do in that standpoint."

13 November 2012 - 01H31
Rivalry with top stars keeps Federer coming back

AFP - Roger Federer insists his dramatic defeat against Novak Djokovic in the final of the ATP Tour Finals was exactly the kind of epic showdown that stops him thinking about retiring.

Federer's two-year reign as Tour Finals champion was brought to an end by a brilliant display from Djokovic, who underlined his status as the world number one by taking everything the Swiss great could throw at him and then hitting back even harder.

Djokovic eventually won 7-6 (8/6), 7-5 after two hours and 14 minutes of enthralling action at London's O2 Arena on Monday, denying Federer the chance to add to his six Tour Finals titles and leading the 31-year-old to acknowledge the thrill he gets from going toe to toe with such a spirited rival.

"It's part of the puzzle that makes me motivated, trying to play against the likes of Novak, Andy (Murray) and Rafa (Nadal)," Federer said.

"I think we had some great stuff out there. It was good playing such points.

"It's great playing against these guys because the ball does come back a few more times than against other players and you get those great rallies going.

"I love playing against the young guys as well, because to many of them I'm an idol which is kind of strange to me.

"But it's nice seeing them grow, see what the next generation comes up with."

Federer admitted he was frustrated to let the title slip through his fingers after leading by a break in each set.

But the 17-time Grand Slam champion acknowledged Djokovic had come up with some superb shots at the key moments.

"Maybe I have a bit of regret because I had the lead twice first before him," Federer said.

"But at the end of the day, that doesn't matter. You have to get over the finish line in the set and then obviously at the end of the match. He was better at that today.

"You have to talk about me serving really fast three or four times and him bringing back a bullet. I think this is where he gets me on the back foot."

Although Federer's 2012 campaign ended on a low note, a season which includes winning Wimbledon for the seventh time, as well as taking a silver medal at the London Olympics, can't be regarded as a failure and the Swiss is already plotting how to add more silverware to his trophy cabinet next year.

"I reflect in a nice way. I think it's been a fantastic season to be part of," Federer said.

"I'm very pleased that I was able to pick up my performance at the end of the season, like I played now this week. So obviously that gives me confidence for next year.

"I haven't really set clear goals yet for next year. I first have to make sure I create my schedule so it makes sense.

"I need to practice a whole lot more next year, because this year, I hardly did have an opportunity to do. I have some catching up to do in that standpoint."

I'm interested to see how Fed plans his schedule next year because no masters are mandatory for him anymore. He could really peak for the slams next year (not that he wasn't doing that already of course), but he may be fresher for them next year if he does it right, and I have a strange feeling he will. He's always been a good planner when it comes to his schedule.

I'm interested to see how Fed plans his schedule next year because no masters are mandatory for him anymore. He could really peak for the slams next year (not that he wasn't doing that already of course), but he may be fresher for them next year if he does it right, and I have a strange feeling he will. He's always been a good planner when it comes to his schedule.

I'm interested to see how Fed plans his schedule next year because no masters are mandatory for him anymore. He could really peak for the slams next year (not that he wasn't doing that already of course), but he may be fresher for them next year if he does it right, and I have a strange feeling he will. He's always been a good planner when it comes to his schedule.

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can federer play however many tournaments he wants too ?..
or does he have to play a minimum number ??.

can federer play however many tournaments he wants too ?..
or does he have to play a minimum number ??.

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Not sure. I think he can play whatever he wants. He may have to play some 500's, but he'll probably do that anyway just for the appearance money, but I'm almost certain he doesn't have to play any 1000 tournaments.

I think Fed is serious about upping his practicing next year, because in the past year or two he has been spending so much time working for his foundation, the players' federation, and his sponsors. There is a documentary on YouTube that gives an idea of how many activities besides actual tennis Fed is involved in:

I think Fed is serious about upping his practicing next year, because in the past year or two he has been spending so much time working for his foundation, the players' federation, and his sponsors. There is a documentary on YouTube that gives an idea of how many activities besides actual tennis Fed is involved in:

I think Fed is serious about upping his practicing next year, because in the past year or two he has been spending so much time working for his foundation, the players' federation, and his sponsors. There is a documentary on YouTube that gives an idea of how many activities besides actual tennis Fed is involved in:

Anybody concerned that Roger Federer is going to disappear from the tennis world, no worries.

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The reason he's been saying he's been lacking practice this year is due to his schedule, not off-court activities. The Olympics took away his post-wimby practice time and because he chose to play Shanghai he didn't really put in a good practice block post USO either. All he means is he'll make sure to schedule next year with enough weeks off to allow for some significant practice/training blocks.

Not sure. I think he can play whatever he wants. He may have to play some 500's, but he'll probably do that anyway just for the appearance money, but I'm almost certain he doesn't have to play any 1000 tournaments.

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Yup, he qualifies for all 3 exemptions, so he can skip any Masters he wants.

1.08 Reduction of ATP World Tour Masters 1000 Commitment

A. A player’s number of ATP World Tour Masters 1000 commitment tournaments shall be reduced by one (1) tournament for reaching each of the following milestones:

1) 600 matches (as of 1 January of the commitment year)
2) 12 years of service
3) 31 years of age (as of 1 January of the commitment year)

If all three (3) conditions are met then the player has a complete exemption from the ATP World Tour Masters 1000 player commitment.

Not sure. I think he can play whatever he wants. He may have to play some 500's, but he'll probably do that anyway just for the appearance money, but I'm almost certain he doesn't have to play any 1000 tournaments.

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No. 500's are not mandatory, they just cost you 0-pointers if you don't play enough. He's basically free as a bird, now.

Who cares what Federer wins. As long as he plays. As long as he plays with fire in his eyes, and grit in his teeth. I think he's mentally strong and tactically amazing. Shame the rallies are not as much on his racquet anymore, but he's still amazing. Hope he plays for 5 more years. Go out like Agassi, rather than Sampras. The next generation of tennis fans should see Roger Federer too.

Fed really frickin blew that match today. One of the worst chokes of his career.

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You are totally clueless. Fed did not choke AT ALL. He played poor points throughout the match, and changed them up with some insane plays. At those moments Djokovic got just some extra balls back with interest and forced Rog into a mistake too many. But I guess if Djokovic nets that passing shot at 6-5 30-40 it's suddenly clutch Federer again?

Most players seem to need to play themselves into the majors but Federer seems to be one guy who stands out as who can turn up and trounce people with magic from the first day of an event. I wonder if a well managed break with fewer lead-up tournaments than his peers could really be a shot in the arm for his peak potential. He may have some hiccups but even looking at this week's tournament he played pretty well yet was the only player who had the last week off (or did someone else as well??)

1) Federer won't play Rotterdam.
2) He's more likely to play Rome than Madrid which is closer in schedule and surface to the French Open.
3) I think he should take part in Miami since he'll most likely skip Monte Carlo (so he has a long break anyway)

Poor Roger. He should be saying 'Matches like today are what make me stay away from the game'. He was dominating Djokovic pretty much but the ball just would not die on him, bouncing up nice and high and allowing Djokovic to slide with ease to his biggest blasts and put them back on the baseline. Djokovic admitted he was only trying to hang in points and make Roger hit one more shot.

Too much match play for Fed this year. The season with the Olympics made Fed impossible to practice, the only part where he had time to do so was the 6 week gap between Miami and Madrid, but of course then it's the clay season so we didn't see much significant results. He did win Madrid though.